Jared Bernard, MD, FACS, a trauma surgeon with HSHS Medical Group Trauma Surgery at HSHS St. John's Hospital Regional Trauma Center in Springfield, IL, was awarded the Lifesaving Partners Award given by the Gift of Hope Organ & Tissue Donor Network. The award honors professionals, health care organizations, individual community advocates and external stakeholders for their exceptional collaboration with Gift of Hope and support of their mission to save and enhance lives through organ and tissue donation.

The Lifesaving Partners Award was established by Gift of Hope in 2001 to acknowledge the vital role its partners play in helping the organization realize its vision: that every opportunity for organ and tissue donation is successful. Over the past 18 years, the organization has awarded the Lifesaving Partner distinction to more than 250 individuals and organizations.

This year’s honorees demonstrate resolute dedication to educate their peers and the public about donation. Excellence in their field and their invaluable contributions help increase awareness about the lifesaving benefits of organ and tissue donation and help ensure that the selfless decision of donors and their families to save lives through donation is honored.

According to Taylor Cory, donation liaison at Gift of Hope Organ and Tissue Donor Network, “Dr. Jared Bernard consistently demonstrates a deep commitment to every donation case in which he is involved. He understands the enduring benefits donation offers grieving families and the many lives that can be saved and enhanced through the gift of donation. Always generous with his time, expertise and guidance, he goes above and beyond to make sure every case — no matter how difficult — goes smoothly from beginning to end to ensure a successful outcome.”

“I feel honored to be recognized with the Lifesaving Partners Award,” said Dr. Bernard. “The entire team should be recognized, because it truly is a team effort to provide total care for patients and their families. Intensivists, surgeons, nurses, nursing assistants, and clergy are all involved in some facet of care. I would say that we provide patient-first and family-first care.”

“Dr. Bernard is yet another example of providers within the medical group who go above and beyond to serve others—putting patients and their families first,” said Melinda Clark, chief executive officer at HSHS Medical Group. “I extend a heartfelt congratulations to Dr. Bernard on behalf of over 1,300 colleagues at HSHS Medical Group who join him in delivering Patient-First care every day throughout Central and Southern Illinois.”

“We cannot do what we do without our partners,” said Kevin Cmunt, President/CEO of Gift of Hope. “These dedicated people and organizations set the standard — and so often surpass it — in making donation possible. Through their selfless work, we give hope and life to those in need of lifesaving organ and tissue transplants.”

“The Gift of Hope staff deems it a pleasure to work with Dr. Bernard because he maintains a positive and collaborative attitude even through challenging cases,” added Cory. “He focuses on the positives and does everything in his power to guide the donation process to a positive outcome. For his resolute commitment to saving lives through organ and tissue donation, Gift of Hope is privileged to honor Dr. Bernard as a 2018 Lifesaving Partner.”

Dr. Bernard concludes, “I would encourage my colleagues to help their patients consider organ donation because there is a severe shortage of transplantable organs actually available to the public. One person could potentially help eight to nine recipients through their selfless sacrifice.”

Dr. Bernard, along with other award honorees will received their awards at the Lifesaving Partners Awards celebration at the Hyatt Lodge at McDonald's Campus in Oak Brook, Ill.

SIDEBAR INFORMATIONHow does organ donation impact the lives of others in our community?

Helps the grieving process. At a time that can be very difficult to get through, many donor families take consolation in knowing their loved one helped save other lives. A single organ donor can save up to eight lives. By also donating tissues and eyes, the same donor can improve up to 50 lives.

Improves others’ quality of life. For some, an organ transplant means no longer having to be dependent on costly routine treatments to survive. For others, an eye or tissue transplant means the ability to see again or the freedom from pain. Giving of yourself through organ donation means that you can help a host of other people who may now be able to live a fuller life because of your generosity.

Live to see who you’ve affected. See lives improved first-hand by choosing to become a living donor. Living donations are most often seen in cases with family members or friends in need of a donor.

Make a difference. Signing up to become an organ donor is an easy way to make a lasting and worthwhile impact on the world after you are gone. Becoming a donor is a hugely positive choice and allows your legacy to live on through another. Learn more at giftofhope.org.

We want to stay connected.

Receive email updates on new services and innovations offered by HSHS Medical Group.